Railway switch



0, 19.3 F. H. BAGLEY 1,787,336

, RAILWAY SWITCH Filed June 30, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

F. H. BAGLEY Dec. 30. 1930.

RAILWAY SWITCH Filed June 30, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Franczlsfflfiayley BY A TTORNEY.

F. H. BAGLEY Dec. 30, 1930;

v RAILWAY SWITCH Filed June 30 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

mum's EBayZIs BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 30, 1930 UNlTEfi STATES PATENTS: OFFICE FRANCIS H. BAGLEY, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA RAILWAY SWITCH Application filed June 30, 1930. Serial No. 464,947.

This invention relates to a railway switch tion through the dash pot mechanism formof the type which may beoperated by a train ing a partof the switch. trailing therethrough, and has for its primary Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter the valves forming a part of the dash pot set forth, a device of such character which mechanism.

includesaspring mechanism operatively con- Figure 4 is a central vertical section nected with the throw rod for returning the through the dash pot mechanism. parts of the switch to their original posi- Figure 5 is an end elevation of the dash tion after a train has trailed therethrough, pot mechanism with the inner end closure 19 and which further includes a dash pot mechplate removed therefrom. 6O

anism operativelyconnected with the throw Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal secrod for resisting the action of the spring t-ion through the spring mechanism. mechanism when the latter is operating to re- Figure 7 is a longitudinal vertical section turn the parts 01" the switch, thereby insurthrough a modified form of dash pot mecha- 15 ing a gradual closing movement of the switch uism. point and preventing a likelihood of damage Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section thereto. through the dash pot mechanism shown in A further object of the invention is to pro- Figure 7, centrally of such mechanism. vide a railway switch including a spring Figure 9 is a detailed section through one mechanism and dash pot mechanism as atoreof the valves in the modified form of dash said wherein the throw rod may be moved in a pot mechanism, such figure being taken on direction to open the switch point by the acthe line 9-9 of Figure 7. tion of atrain trailing therethrough without Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view resistance to such movement by the dash pot of one of the valve plungers for the piston mechanism. 7 employed in the modified form of dash pot 7 A further object oi the invention is to mechanism. provide a railway switch including a spring Referring to the drawings in detail,the numechanism and dash pot mechaanism as merals 1 and 2 indicate a pair of rails of a aforesaid wherein the throw rod may be railway track which are adapted toseat on thrown by hand in either direction without the usual ties, not shown. The rails also seat resistance by either of said mechanisms. on a pair of stringers 3 which extend beneath With the foregoing and other objects in the track in the same horizontal plane as the View, the invention consists of the novel conties. Disposed between the stringers 3 and struction, combination and arrangement of extending beneath the rails 1 and 2 is a head parts as hereinafter more particularly derod 4 which is fixedly connected with a pair scribed, and as illustrated in the accompanyoi switch points 5 and 6. Secured to the head ing drawings wherein is shown an embodirod 4 is 'an apertured lug 7 through which a ment of the invention, but it is to be underthrow rod 8 extends. The throw rod 8 is stood that the description and drawings are provided with a pair of nuts 9 disposed on O to be taken as illustrative and that the inopposite sides of the lug7to secure the throw vention is intended to be limited only by rod in position with respect to the lug. The the scope of the claims hereunto appended. nuts 9 are spaced apart a distance slightly In the accompanying drawings in which greater than the thickness of the lug 7 in like numerals are employed to designate like order that there may be a slight play between parts throughout the several views the throw rod and lug.

Figure 1 is a top plan of a switch in 210- The throw rod Sis connected by means of a cordance with this invention showing the spring mechanism indicated generally at 9 same in operative position with respect to a and a connecting rod 10 with the crank 11 of track. a switch stand which may be of any well Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal secknown construction including means for latching the crank 11 in a position with the switch point in engagement with the rail 1, or the switch point 6 in engagement with the rail 2 as desired. The spring mechanism 9 is mounted on the rods 8 and to float therebetween in order that the same may move as a unit when the crank 11 is operated by means of the switch stand lever to move the switch points 5 and 6.

The spring mechanism 9 includes an elongated, cylindrical housing 10 having its ends closed by means of a pair of caps 11 and 12. The throw rod 8 slidably extends through the cap 12 and also through a cup 13 slidably disposed within the housing 10. The portion of the throw rod disposed within the cup 13 is provided with a collar 14 for abutment with the inner face of the cup. The throw rod 8 further extends through a washer 15 which is slidably mounted within the housing 10 and is provided with an adjusting nut 16 for maintaining the washer 15 in position thereon. Encircling the throw rod 8 is a rela-.

v tively heavy spring 17, the respective ends of which abut the washer 15 and cup 13 to normally maintain the skirt portion 18 of the latter in engagement with the cap 12, and to malntain the washer 15 in engagement with the adjusting nut 16.

Threaded on the connecting rod 10 is'an adjusting nut 19 which projects through an opening formed centrally of the closure cap 11. The nut 19 is formed with a flange 20 which is disposed within the housing 10, one

; side face of the flange being positioned against the inner face of the cap 11, and the other side face being positioned against an end of the housing 10. The connecting rod 10 projects through the adjust-- ing nut 19 into the interior of the housing and is fixedly secured at its inner end to a relatively long cup 21 slidably mounted within the housing. The skirt portion 22 of the cup 21 encircles the adjusting nut 16 on the throw rod 8 and normally bears against the outer face of the washer 15. Exteriorly of the adjusting nut 19, the connecting rod 10" is provided with a lock nut- 23. It is to be noted that the throw rod 8 may be moved in either direction relative to the housing 10 against the compression of the spring 17. If the throw rod 8 is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 6, the spring 17 will be compressed by the washer 15 and the throw rod will move relatively to the housing until the collar 14 is brought into contact with the inner face of the cap 12. If the throw rod 8 is moved to the left as viewed in Figure 6, the spring 17 will be compressed by the cup 13 and the throw rod will move relatively to the housing 10 until the inner end of the throw rod is brought into contact with the inner face of the cup 21.

- Mounted on the stringers 3, outwardly with respect to the spring mechanism 9 and'switch stand crank 11 is a dash pot mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 24. The dash pot mechanism includes a base 25 fixedly secured to the stringers 3 and formed integrally with a housing adapted to contain oil. The housing includes a pair of side walls 26 which merge at their lower edges in a substantially semi-cylindrical bottom wall 2. Formed integrally with the walls 26 and 27 is an arcuate partition 28 which coacts with the bottom .wall 27 to provide a cylindrical chamber 29 within the housing. Formed integrally with the partition 28 at the ends of the latter are a pair of end walls 30 which coact with the partition 28 and side wall 26 to provide a chamber 31 within the housing. Seated on and secured to the upper edges of the side walls 26 and end walls 30 is a top closure plate 32 which is provided centrally thereof with a removable plug 33 to provide for the introduction of a fluid into the interior of the housing. Having its marginal portion secured to the side wall '26, bottom wall 27, and inner end wall 30 is an inner end closure plate 34, the central portion of which is disposed in spaced relation to the'inner end wall 30 and the inner end of the chamber 29 to provide a chamber 35 at the inner end of the housing. Having its marginal portion secured to the side wall 26, bottom wall 27, and outer end 1.;

wall 30is an outer end closure, plate 36, the central portion of which is disposed in spaced relation to the outer end wall 30 and the outer end of the chamber 29 to provide a chamber 37 at the outer end of the housing. The bottom wall 27 is provided centrally thereof with a drain plug 3 in order that the fluid content of the housing may be drained without removing any of the plates 32, 34 and 36.

Formed in the end walls 30' are a pair of openings 39 which are disposed in alignment longitudinally of the housing. Disposed within the openings 39 are a pair of valves 40 and 41, but one of which will be described, as the description of one will apply to the other. The valve 40 consists of a head portion 42 and a cylindrical skirt portion 43 which is formed with a series of spaced windows 44. Adjacent the outer face thereof, the head portion 42 is provided with a flange 45. The valves 40 and 41 are fixedly secured on a valve rod 46 with the skirt portions of the valves disposed within the openings 39. The valves 40 and 41 are spaced apart an appropriate distance to permit the head portion of one of thevalves to be inserted within one of the openings without entirely removing the skirt portion of the other valve from the other of said openings. The valve rod 46 extends through the valve 40 and through a suitable opening formed in the innerfend closure plate 34. The valve rod 46 further ex tends'through a stufiing box 47 projecting from the outer face of the closure plate 34.

iii)

I of the spring 54 is disposed in abutment wi Disposed in horizontal alignment with he openings 39 are a pair of openings 48 which are slightly larger than the openings 39. The openings 48 are in alignment longitudinally of the housing. Disposed within the openings 48 are a pair of poppet valves 49 and 59, but one of which will be described, as the description of one will apply to the other. The valve 49 includes a disk 51 which is of appropriate diameter to close the opening through the inner end wall 30 and is seated against the outer face of such end wall. The disk 51 is fixedly secured to a plunger rod which slidably extends through the hub portion of a spider 53 extending across the openings 48 and formed integrally with the wall of the latter. Encircling the plunger rod is. a coiled spring 54, the convolutions of which successively decrease in. diameter from one end of the spring to the other. The larger end of the spring 54 is disposed in abutting relation to the inner face of the inner end wall' 30 in circumferential r lation to the opening 48 in such end wall. The smaller ei a washer 55 which is maintained in position on the plunger rod 52 by means of an adju. ing nut 56 and lock nut 57. The the spring 54 is adjusted by means of the nuts 56 and 57 so that the action of the spr z: will lightly hold the disk 51 in pot close the opening 48.

Disposed within the cylind r 29 is a piston 58 which is fixedly mounted on a piston rod 59 which extends through a suitable 3 stantially U-shaped bracket 03, the of which are secured to the piston by suitable holdtast devices 64. Adjustably extending through the central portion of the bracket 63 is a needle valve stem 64, the inner end of which is tapered and is disposed in alignment with. an opening 65 extending through the piston. The stem 64 is screw threaded to the bracket 63 and is provided outwardly of the bracket with an adjusting nut 66.

Carried by the valve rod 46 are a pair of spaced lugs 67 and 68 which may be adjusterl longitudinally of the valve rod 46. Encircling the valve rod 46 between the lugs 67 and 68 is the head 69 of a control rod 70 which is connected at one end to the connecting rod 10.

In Figures 7 to 10 there is shown a modified form of dash pot mechanism indicated generally at 71 which includes a housing of less height and materially greater length than the housing of the dash pot mechanism The housing of the dash pot mechanism 71 includes a pair of side walls 72 merging at their lower edges in a substantially semi-cylindrical bottom wall 73. Formed integrally with the side walls 72 and bottom wall 73 is a partition 74 which is of arcuate formation and which coacts with the bottom wall 73 to provide a cylindrical chamber 7 5 extending longitudinally of the housing.

Formed integrally with the partition 74 at the ends of the latter are a pair of upwardly extending end walls 76 which are also formed integrally with the side walls 72. The end walls 76, side walls 72, and partition 74 provide a valve chamber 77 which is closed at its top by means of a closure plate 78 secured to the upper edges of the side walls 72 and end walls 76. The closure plate 78 is provided with a filler plug 79, and the bottom 73 is provided with a drain plug 80. Formed centrally of the partition 74 and extending lengthwise thereof is an elongated opening 81, to establish communication between the valve chamber 77 and piston chamber 75. The housing is closed at its inner end by means of a closure plate 82, marginal portions of which are secured to the inner end wall 76, side walls 72, and bottom wall 73, and the central portion of which is disposed in spaced relation to such walls to provide a chamber 83 at the inner end of the housing. The housing is closed at its outer end by means of a closure plate 84, marginal portions of which are secured to the outer end wall 76, side walls 72, and bottom wall 73, and the central portion of which is disp in spaced relation to such walls to provide a chamber 85 at the outer end of the housing.

The end walls 76 are formed with openings 86 which are disposed in alignment longitudinally of the chamber 77. Disposed within the openings 86 are a pair of slide valves 87 and 87', each ot which is of the same construction as the valve 40 heretofore described, including a head portion 88 and a skirt portion 89 formed with a series of spaced windows 90. The valves 87 and 87 are fixedly mounted on a valve rod 91 and are appropriately spaced thereon so that one of the openings 86 may be closed by the head portion 88 of one of the valves while providing a passageway through the other of said openings by means of the windows 90 in the skirt portion of the other of said valves. The valve rod 91 extends through the valve 87 and further extends through a suitable opening in the inner end closure plate 82 which is provided on its outer face with a stutling box 92 through which the valve rod 91 eXtends. Outwardly of the stulfing box 92, the valve rod 91 is provided with a pair of spaced, longitudinally adjustthe outer face of such closure plate.

able lugs 93 and 94. Encircling the valve rod 91 between the lugs 93 and 94 is the apertured head 85 of a control rod 96 which is connected with the connecting rod 10 associated with the spring mechanism 9.

Extending longitudinally through the piston chamber 75 is a piston rod 97 which projects through the inner end closure plate 82 and through a stuffing box 98 formedr on he piston rod 97 is adjustably connected with the jointed connecting rod 61 which is con nected with the head rod 4. Fixedly mounted on the piston rod 97 are a pair of spaced pistons 99 and'100 which areappropriately spaced so that one of said pistons may be positioned at the end of the piston chamber 75, while the other of said pistons is disposed centrally of the piston chamber. The piston 99 is formedin its inner face, considered with respect to the inner and outer ends of the housing, with a series of recesses 101 which are arranged in concentric relation to the piston rod 97 and which communicate with relatively small openings 102 opening through the outer face of the piston to provide a plurality of ports through the latter. Secured to the inner face of the piston in concentric relation to each recess 101 is a spider 103, through the hub of which a plunger rod 104 slidably extends. Formed on the inner end of each plunger rod 104 is a plunger 105- which is adapted to close the opening 102, and which is normally maintained in closing position with respect thereto by means of a spring 106, the respective ends of which abut against the plunger 105 and spider 103. Each of the plungers 105 is formed in its side face with a relatively small, longitudinally extending groove 107 to provide a by-pass between each opening 102 and its associated recess 101 when the plunger 105 is in closing position with respect to the opening. The piston 100 is of the same e construction as the piston 99, except that the recesses 108 are formed in the outer faceof the piston 100, and the openings 109 communicating with the recesses 108 are in the inner face of the piston, the faces of the piston being considered with respect to the inner and outer ends of the housing. Each of the associated recesses 108 and openings 109 is provided with a plunger 110 similar in every respect to the plungers 105 in the piston 99.

The operation of the switch when the dash pot mechanism 24 is employed is as follows, assuming that the switch stand crank 11 has been latched in the position shown in Figure 1, in which position the switch point 5 is in engagement with the rail 1. In this position, the piston 58 will be positioned at the outer end of the chamber 29 as shown in Figure 4, and the apertured head 69 of the control rod 70 will be adjacent the lug 67 as shown in Figure 2. The slide valve 41 will be closed while the slide valve 40 will be opened. The poppet valves 49 and 50 are always closed by the action of the springs 54 except when a pressure is exerted on the valves to open the same. It is to be understood that the chambers 29, 31, and 37 are substantially filled with a liquid, preferably oil.

When a train trails through the switch with the parts thereof arranged in the above described position, a pull toward the right is exerted on the throw rod 8 as the latter is viewed in the drawings. Since the connecting rod 10' is fixedly secured to the crank 11 of the switch stand, and the housing 10 is fixedly connected to the connecting rod 10 by means of the adjusting nut19, the hous ing 10 will remain stationary, and therefore the spring 17 will be compressed by the washer 15 upon the movement of the throw rod. At the same time that the spring 17 is compressed, the piston 58 will be moved through the chamber 29 by means of the connecting rod 61 which connects the piston rod 59 with the head rod 4. Since the valve is open, the fluid within the chamber 29 will be forced by the piston through the chamber 35 and valve 40 into the chamber 31. Since the chamber 31 is already filled with liquid, the latter must escape therefrom as fast as it enters through the valve 40. It cannot escape through th closed valve 41 nor through the poppet valve 49, since the latter will be maintained in closed position by the pressure withinthe chamber 35. There being no pressure within the chamber 37, the poppet valve will be forced open to allow the liquid to pass through the chamber 37 into the chamber 29 outwardly of the piston 58. Since only a very light pressure is required to open the poppet valve 50, substantially no resistance is offered by the piston58 to the opening of the switch point 5.

As soon as the train has trailed through the switch, the compression of the spring 17 will act to return the switch points to their original position. This movement is resisted by the return movement of the piston 58 through the chamber 29. The return movement of the piston 58 forces the liquid in the chamber 29 into the chamber 37 from where it cannot escape owing to its own pressure on the poppet valve 50 to maintain the latter closed, and to the apertured head 69 on the control rod 70 which engages the lug 67 to maintain the slide valve 41 closed. The only escape for the liquid is through the rela tively small port in the piston 58, and therefore the return movement of the piston will be relatively slow insuring a gradual closing movement of the switch points.

If it is desired to set the switch with the switch point 6 in engagement with the rail 2, the switch stand crank 11 is swung in an arc in the usual manner. Near the end of the movement of the crank 11, the apertured 1ug68 whereby the positions of the valves 40 and 41 will be reversed, in which reversed position the valve 40 will be closed while the Valve 4,1 will be opened. Since the spring mechanism 9 is floatingly mounted, and since the piston otters substantially no resistance to the movement of the head rod while the valve 40 is open as above described, substantially no resistance is offered to the movement o the crank 11. V hen a train trails through the switch with the valves 40 and 41 in their reversed positions, the piston 58 may freely move in an outward direction owing to the passage of the liquid from the chamber 29 into the chamber 37, through the valve 41 into the chamber 31 and through the pop pet valve 19 into the chamber 35 from where it returns to the chamber 29 inwardly of'the piston. Upon the return movement of the piston 58, the oil or liquid will be forced from the chamber 29 into the chamber 35 from where it cannot escape owing to its own pressure on the poppet valve 49 and to the engagement of the apertured head 69 with the lug 68 to maintain the slide valve 40 closed. Since the liquid cannot pass through the chamber 35 it must escape through the port in the piston.

lVhen the dash pot mechanism 71 is employed instead of the dash pot mechanism 24, the operation is as follows, assuming that the crank 11 is positioned as shown in Figure 1, in which position the piston 100 will be disposed at the outer end of the chamber 75, the piston 99 will be disposed centrally of the chamber 75, the slide valve 87' will be closed, and the slide valve 87 will be opened with the apertured head 95 of the control rod 96 in engagement with the lug 93 on the valve rod When a train trails through the switch, the pistons 99 and 100 will be moved longitudinally oi the chamber 75 in an inward direction. Since the spring pressure on the plungers 110 of the piston 100 is outwardly of the piston, the spring pressure will be readily overcome by the pressure of the liquid passing through the openings 109 upon the movement of the piston, whereby the liquid between the pistons 99 and 100 may readily pass through the piston 100 to the chamber 85. Since the spring pressure on the plungers 105 of the piston 99 is on the forward face of the piston 99 during this movement, the plungers 105 will be maintained in closed position by the pressure of the liquid thereon. However, the slide valve 87 being open, the liquid may pass readily through the chamber 83 and valve 87 into the chamber 77 from where it may readily return to the chamber 75 through the opening 81. During the return movement of the pistons 99 and 100, the liquid between the pistons may freely pass through theopening 81 into the chamber 77, and through the valve 87 into.

the chamber 83 communicating with the chamber 75 inwardly of the piston 99. However, the liquid in the chamber 75 outwardly of the piston 100 can only escape through the by-passes in the plungers 110,-

since the plungers 110 are maintained in closed position by the pressure of the liquid, and the slide valve 87 is maintained closed by the engagement oi the apertured head 95 of the control rod 96 with the lug 93 on the valve rod 91.

If it is desired to set the switch with the switch point 6 in engagement with the rail 2,

this may be done by manually swinging the switch stand crank 11 toward the track. Upon changing the position of the crank 11, the positions of the slide valves 87 and 87 are reversed by the action of the apertured head 95 with the lug 94:, in which reverse position the valve 87 is closed while the valve 87 is open. At the same time the pistons 99 and 100 are moved through the chamber 7 5 to position the piston 99 at the inner end of the chamber, and to position the piston 100.

centrally of the chamber. Vith the pistons and valves thus arranged, the pistons may freely move in an outward direction, but can move in an inward direction only as fast as the liquid inwardly of the piston 99 can escape through the by-passes 107 therethrough.

It is thought that the many advantages of a switch in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the switch perferably will be constructed in accordance with the embodiments herein illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined'in the appended claims.

Vhat I claim is 1. A railway switch comprising, a throw rod for connection with a switch point. a spring mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for closing the switch after a train has trailed therethrough, and a dash pot mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for resisting the action of the spring mechanism to close the switch, said dash pot mechanism including a housing formed at its ends with a pair of fluid chambers and further formed with a closed end chamber and an open end chamber disposed between the pair of chambers, and a piston slidable in said open end chamber and operatively connected with the throw rod to move therewith, said closed end chamber being in communication with one of said pair of said chambers and being closed to the other, said piston being formed with a by-pass.

2. A railway switch comprising, a throw rod for connection with a switch point, a spring mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for closing the switch 7 after a train has trailed therethrough, and a dash pot mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for resisting the action of the spring mechanism to close the switch, said spring mechanism including a casing having the throw rod extending thereinto, a cup within the casing and having a skirt portion abutting one end of the casing, a cup within'the casing in abutment with the other end thereof and having an inwardly extending skirt portion, said throw rod extending through the first named cup and having a shoulder within such cup, a washer secured to the throw rod adjacent the inner end thereof for abutment with the skirt portion of the last named cup, and a coil spring encircling the throw rod and having its ends respectively abutting the first named cup and said washer.

8. A railway switch comprising, a throw rod for connection'with a switch point, a spring mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for closing the switch after a train has trailed therethrough, and a dash pot mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for resisting the action of the spring mechanism to close the switch, said spring mechanism including a casing having the throw rod extending thereinto, a cup within the casing and having a skirt portion abutting one end of the casing, a cup within the casing in abutment with the other end thereof and having an inwardly extending skirt portion, said throw rod extending through the first named cup and having a shoulder within such cup, a washer secured to the throw rod adjacent the inner end thereof for abutment with the'skirt portion of the last named cup, and a coil spring encircling the throw rod and having its ends respectively abutting the first named cup and said washer, said last named cup being of materially greater length than the other and having the inner end of the throw rod projecting into the skirt portion thereof.

4. A railway switch comprising, a switch stand crank, a throw rod for connection with a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connecting the thrbw rod and crank to provide for the operation of the switch points by the crank and to provide further for the automatic closing of the switch after a train has trailed therethrough,

a dash pot mechanism operatively connected end thereof and having an inwardly extending skirt portion, said throw rod extending through the first named cup and having a shoulder wlthin such cup, a washer secured ly abutting the first named cup and said washer, a connecting rod for connecting the crank with said last named cup, and an adjusting nut threaded on the connecting rod and engaging the casing to prevent relative movement therebetween.

5. A railway switch comprising, aswitch stand crank, a throw rod for connectionwith a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connecting the throw rod and crankto provide for the operation of the switch points by the crank and to provide further for the automatic closing of the switch after a train has trailed therethrough, and a dash pot mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for resisting the action of the spring mechanism to close the switch, said dash pot mechanism including a housing formed at its ends with a pair of fluid chambers and further formed with a closed end chamber and an open end chainber disposed between said pairofchambers, a piston slidable in the open end chamber and operatively connected with the throw rod to move therewith, said piston having a by-pass extending therethrough, said closed end chamber being provided with an open- ,ing into each of said pair of chambers, a

ment of the crank to operate the throw rod.

6. A railway switch comprising, a switch stand crank, a throw rod for connection with a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connecting the throw rod and crank to provide for the operation of the switch points by the crank and to provide I further for the automatic closing of the switch after a train has trailed therethrough, and a dash pot mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for resisting the action of the spring mechanism to close the switch, said dash pot mechanism including a housingformed at its ends with a pair of fluid chambers and further formed with a closed end chamber and an open end chamber disposed between said pair of chambers, a piston slidable in the open end chamber and operatively connected with the throw rod to move therewith, said piston having a by-pass extending therethrough', said closed end chamber being provided with an opening into each of said pairiof chambers, a

valve for each of said openings, one of said valves being open and the other closed, a valve rod connecting said valves and extending through the wall of the'housing, a pair of spaced lugs on the valve'rod, and a control rod having an end portion slidably mounted on the valve rod between said lugs and having its other end operatively connected with the crank to provide for the engagement of said slidable end portion with one of said lugs to reverse the opened and closed positions oi the valves upon movement of the crank to operate the throw rod.

7. A railway switch comprising, a switch stand crank, a throw rod for connection with a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connecting the throw rod and crank to provide for the operation of the switch points by the crank and to provide further for the automatic closing of the switch after a train has trailed therethrough, a dash pot mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for resisting the action of the spring mechanism to close the switch, said dash pot mechanism including a lionsing formed at its ends with a pair of fluid chambers and further formed with a closed end chamber and an open end chamber disposed between said pair of chambers, a piston slidable in the open end chamber and operatively connected with the throw rod to move therewith, said piston having a bypass extending therethrough, said closed end chamber being provided with an opening into each of said pair of chambers, a valve for each of said openings, one of said valves being open and the other closed, means operatively connecting said valves with the crank for reversing the opened and closed positions of the valves upon movement of the crank to operate the throw rod, and means to provide an outlet for said closed end chamber independent of said valves.

8. A railway switch comprising, a throw rod for connection with a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for yieldingly resisting movement of the latter in opposite directions by a train trailing through the switch and for returning the switch points to their original positions after the train has passed through the switch, and a dash pot mechanism for retarding the return movement oi: the throw rod in opposite directions.

9. A railway switch comprising, a throw rod for connection with apair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for yieldingly resisting movement of the latter in opposite direct-ions by a train trailing through the switch and for returning the switch points to their original positions after the train has passed through the switch, a dash pot mechanism for retarding the return movement of the throw rod in opposite directions, manually operated means for actuating the throw rod independently of the spring mechanism, and means operativoly connected with said manually operated means for autopot mechanism with said manually operated, means whereby the operation of the latter automatically reverses the direction in which movement of the switch points is resisted by the dash pot mechanism.

1].. In a railway s itch, the combination with a pair of switch points, of spring mechanism yieldinglv resisting movement of the points in one direction and producing movement thereof in the opposite direction, dash pot mechanism yieldingly resisting movement of the points in said opposite direction, and manually operated means for changing the positions of the switch points and reversing the direction in which movement of the latter is resisted by the spring mechanism and dash pot mechanism.

12. In a railway switch including a pair of switch points and further including a throw rod connecting the switch points, a

spring mechanism selectively operable in opposite directions to close the switch after a train has trailed therethrough, a dash pot mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for resisting the action of the spring mechanism to close the switch, manually operated means operatively connected with the throw rod for throwing the switch, and means operatively connecting said manually operated means with the dash pot mechanism whereby the operation of said manually operated means automatically reverses the direction in which the action of the spring mechanism 1s resisted by the dash pot mechanism.

13. A railway switch comprising, a throwrod for connection with a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connected with the throw rod for yieldingly resisting movement of the latter in opposite directions by a train trailing switch and for returning the switch points to their original positions after the train has passed through the switch, a dash pot mechanism for retardingthe return movement of through the the throw rod in opposite directions, and man- (325 ually operated means for actuating the throw rod independently ot the spring mechanism, said dash pot mechanism including a fluid chamber havinga piston slidable therein and operatively connected with the throw rod,'

means externally of the chamber to provide a passageway for the fluid from one end of the chamber to the other, a pair of spaced walls extending transversely across said passageway, oppositely arranged, spring controlled valves in said walls, and a pair of slide valves in said walls, one of said slide valves being open and the other being closed, said slide valves being operatively connected with said manually operated means whereby the operation of the latter reverses the open and closed positions of the slide valves.

14. A railway switch comprising, a throw rod for connection with a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operativeiy connected with the throw rod for yieldingly resisting movement of the latter in opposite directions by a train trailing through the switch and for returning the switch points to their original positions after the train has passed through the switch, a dash pot mecha nism for retarding the return movement of the throw rod in opposite directions, and manually operated means for actuating the throw rod independently of the spring mechanism, said dash pot mechanism including a fluid chamber having a pair of spaced pistons slidable therein and operatively connected with the throw rod, oppositely arranged, spring controlled valves in said pistons, means externally of the chamber to provide a passageway for the fluid from one end of the chamber to the other, a pair of spaced walls extending transversely across said passageway, said chamber being provided centrally thereof with an opening into said passageway between said walls, and a pair of slide valves in said walls, one of said slide valves being open and the other being closed, said slide valves being operatively connected with said manually operated'means whereby the operation of the latter reverses the open and closed 1 directions by a train trailing through the switch and for returning the switch points to their original positions after the train has passed through the switch, a dash pot mechanism for retarding the return movement of the throw rod in opposite directions, said dash pot mechanism including a fluid chamber having a piston slidable therein and operatively connected with the throw rod, and means externally of the chamber to provide a passagewayforthe fluid from one end of the chamber to the other, said passageway being closed to one end of the chamber and being open tothe other end thereof.

16. A railway switch comprising, a throw rod for connection with a pair of switch points, a spring mechanism operatively connected with the'throw rod for yieldingly resisting movement of the latter in opposite directions by a train trailing through the switch and for returning the switch points to their original positions after the train has passed through the switch, a dash pot mechanism for retarding the return movementof the throw rod in opposite directions, said dash pot mechanism including a fluid chamber having a piston slidable therein and operatively connected with the throw rod, means externally of the chamber to provide a passageway for the fluid from one end of the chamber to the other, said passageway being closed to one end of the chamber and being open to the other end thereof, manually operated means for actuating the throw rod independently of the spring mechanism, and means operatively connected with said manually operated means for opening the end of the fluid chamber closed to the passageway and for closing the end of the fluid chamber open to the passageway.

in testimony whereof I affix my signature hereto.

FRANCIS H. BAGLEY. 

